Alpharetta Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Georgia Pedestrian Laws

Here’s a clear breakdown of the state pedestrian laws:

• Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks: If a pedestrian is in a marked or unmarked crosswalk and on the same half of the road—or within one lane of it—drivers must stop and remain stopped. This rule applies at both intersections and mid-block crossings.
• Passing a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk is illegal: When a vehicle has stopped to let a pedestrian cross, other drivers approaching from behind may not pass. Doing so endangers pedestrians and violates Georgia traffic law.
• Pedestrian signals must be obeyed: Pedestrians can cross only when a "WALK" signal is displayed. When a "DON’T WALK" signal appears—flashing or steady—pedestrians must not begin to cross, though they may finish if already in the street.
• Drivers must yield to blind pedestrians: Vehicles must stop for pedestrians using a white cane or accompanied by a guide dog, even if they’re not in a crosswalk. This law prioritizes the safety of visually impaired individuals.
• Pedestrians must use sidewalks when available: If a sidewalk is present, pedestrians are required to use it instead of walking in the roadway. This keeps foot traffic away from fast-moving vehicles.
• Use the shoulder or walk facing traffic when there’s no sidewalk: If no sidewalk exists, pedestrians should walk on the shoulder, staying as far from traffic as possible. On two-way roads without a sidewalk or shoulder, pedestrians must walk on the left side facing traffic.
• Crossing outside crosswalks requires yielding to vehicles: Pedestrians may legally cross the street outside a crosswalk, but they must yield the right of way to vehicles. However, if they’re already safely in the road, drivers should still exercise caution.
• Jaywalking is not a specific offense under Georgia law: Georgia doesn’t have a statute labeled "jaywalking," but crossing outside of a designated crosswalk is regulated. Pedestrians doing so must take extra care and yield to oncoming traffic.
• Diagonal crossing is not allowed unless indicated: Pedestrians may not cross intersections diagonally unless permitted by official traffic control devices. This rule prevents confusion and ensures smoother traffic flow.
• Pedestrians must follow general traffic rules: Like drivers, pedestrians must obey traffic signals, road signs, and lawful instructions from law enforcement. This includes waiting for traffic lights and using crosswalks properly.
• Walking on interstates and highways is prohibited: Pedestrians are not allowed on controlled-access highways such as interstates, unless due to emergencies. This is for their safety due to high speeds and limited visibility.

How Georgia Pedestrian Accidents Happen

Many pedestrian victims never contact an attorney because they worry that they were at fault for their accident – even though they have never looked into the matter, or even though they have a suspicion that something wasn’t right. In reality, drivers are the cause of a significant number of these tragic collisions.

Here are just some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in which the pedestrian is not at fault:

• The driver did not obey traffic laws (including right-of-way laws, traffic lights, or crosswalks).
• The driver did not yield to a pedestrian.
• The driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• The driver was fatigued or asleep at the wheel.
• The driver was distracted.
• The driver simply “didn’t see” the pedestrian.
• The road or intersection was poorly designed or poorly signed.
• The city or state did not properly care for the roadway.

When It Comes to Pedestrian Accidents, Minor Injuries Are Rare

Fender-benders may sometimes only result in a sore neck or a seatbelt bruise. But when it comes to pedestrian accidents, there are no seatbelts and there are no fenders; there is only metal against skin. For this reason, pedestrian accidents have much higher fatality rates than motor vehicle accidents alone.

Specifically, pedestrian accidents often result in these serious injuries:

Bills for hospitalization and further medical treatments can pile up quickly, especially since many people lose wages while recovering. If your accident was not your fault, these bills are not your responsibility! Speak with an experienced Atlanta pedestrian attorney to find out who should be paying your accident-related expenses.